Section 1 leaders Cliftonville unexpectedly tasted defeat at the Cloughan where the home side (Templepatrick) were comfortable winners. Crucially the visitors were without 4 regulars including their brilliant but now departed Indian professional Avadhoot Dandekar and they slumped to 145-8 in their 50 overs in the face of some excellent bowling. In reply the Templepatrick professional Bob Homani lead the way with an unbeaten 32 as Templepatrick won by 6 wickets.

Demoted last season from the Premier League Lurgan are hinting at a quick return to the top flight and joined Cliftonville at the top with 20 points when completing a hard fought win over Woodvale at Ballygomartin Road. Batting first the home side posted a useful total of 238 with Sam Fleming (78) and Jonathan Burnside (42) prominent and Cameron Grieve with 3-32 best of the bowlers. The visitors professional Niranjan Godbole (54) and the evergreen John Guy (48no) led the Co. Armagh side home to an important victory.

One of 5 sides on 16 points Holywood continued their recent good form with an emphatic win over Derriaghy at Seapark where the visitors were dismissed cheaply for 104 with in form paceman David Kennedy taking 5-27. With Richie Kerrigan unbeaten on 38 the home side coasted home by 9 wickets.

Carrickfergus are also in touch on 16 points after a facile win over bottom club Dundrum at the Meadow. Professional Indrajeet Kamtekar (83no) and Alex Haggan (43no off only 25 balls) added 89 off the last 10 overs to set an imposing target of 254-4. In reply the home side were never in the hunt and were dismissed for 143 with Ryan Eagleson taking 3-25 and Jamie Holmes 3-21 taking the bowling honours.

Downpatrick also have 16 points following a comfortable 7 wicket win over Bangor at Strangford Road. The home side's professional Amit Patel had a good day with 54no and 3-18. He was well supported by veteran Gavin Ringland (37no) as the home side chased down Bangor's total of 117 for the loss of only 3 wickets. Earlier Dale Mullan with 4-23 was Downpatrick's best performer with the ball.

NEXT FIXTURES - SATURDAY 5th / SUNDAY 6th JULY

                    P    W    T    L  NR/V  Pts
Lurgan              7    5    0    2    0   20
Cliftonville        8    5    0    3    0   20
Carrickfergus       7    4    0    3    0   16
Downpatrick         7    4    0    3    0   16
Templepatrick       7    4    0    3    0   16
Derriaghy           8    4    0    5    0   16
Woodvale            8    4    0    4    0   16
Holywood            6    3    0    3    0   12
Bangor              7    3    0    4    0   12
Dundrum             7    0    0    7    0    0